Capiz

The province is known in local textbooks to be the “Seafood capital of the Philippines”. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea and is situated at the northeastern part of Panay Island, Western Visayas. It is easy to book flights or ferries from Manila to its capital, Roxas City.

The mention of Capiz would probably ring a bell, as it is home of the largest Catholic Church bell in Asia (no pun intended). It is located in Pan-ay town, at the Santa Monica Church.

Capiz is also known for its beautiful oyster-shell crafts, called capiz shells or pi-os by the locals, that adorn all manner of products, although mostly furnitures and home decorations.

At Roxas City, you can stroll along the coastal promenade called the People’s Park, which overlooks the Baybay beach. The beach’s seafood court opens at nighttime for visitors to try fish, crab, oysters and other delicacies.

Aside from seafood, there are other noteworthy eats in the city such as inasal at RML Manukan and the barbecue at Bitoy’s Balay Barbekyuhan. For a little dose of Philippine history, one can also visit the home of former president Manuel Roxas, now a national landmark for being the president’s birthplace.

Capiz is full of natural attractions such as waterfalls at the Pangilatan Eco-Tourism Park and Hinulugan Falls, as well as caves like Quipot, Pilar, Balisong, and Suhot Cave, where one can see naturally formed limestone stalactites and stalagmites.